Bad Teacher

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  • TV-14
  • 2014
  • 1 Season
  • 5.3  (2,965)

Bad Teacher is an American television sitcom that aired on CBS in 2014. The show is based on the 2011 movie of the same name, but it has a different set of characters and storyline. The series starred Ari Graynor as Meredith Davis, a gold-digger who becomes a public-school teacher to meet rich and eligible single fathers in search of a life partner. Not only is she not interested in teaching, but she's also very selfish and competitive. She uses her beauty and charm to manipulate everyone around her, including teachers, administrators, and parents.

At the school, Meredith meets Principal Carl Gaines, played by David Alan Grier. Carl is an old acquaintance of Meredith, but he's not pleased to see her back in his life. He's a hard-working and well-meaning educator who is determined to improve the academic performance and discipline of his students, while Meredith does the opposite. Carl is supported by Ginny, the school's vice-principal, played by Sara Gilbert. Ginny is a very dedicated and loyal coworker who respects her job and colleagues.

Among Meredith's students are Irene, a socially awkward and studious girl, played by Sara Rodier. Irene is often ignored and bullied by her peers, but she finds a kindred spirit in Meredith, who appreciates her intelligence and potential. Another student is lsa, portrayed by Yara Shahidi, who is the daughter of a single father who works as a gym teacher at the school. lsa is a precocious and talented girl who is eager to please both her father and her teacher. However, Meredith sees lsa as a rival for male attention and tries to undermine her confidence.

Meredith's romantic interest is Jeff, played by Justin Long, who is a substitute teacher and aspiring writer. Jeff is a sweet and caring person who is attracted to Meredith's looks and energy, but he's also oblivious to her ulterior motives. Meredith's nemesis is Ginny's ex-husband, Joel, played by Ryan Hansen, who is a rich and arrogant parent. Joel is constantly trying to impress Meredith and get her attention, but she finds him boring and unattractive.

The show also had recurring characters, such as Irene's mother, played by Kristin Davis, who is a wealthy and overprotective mom. Irene's father, played by Lyle Kanouse, is a shy and awkward man who is intimidated by Meredith's presence. The school's janitor, played by Jim Blanchette, is a wise and insightful man who helps Meredith see the error of her ways. The school's nurse, played by Ciera Payton, is a tough and no-nonsense woman who doesn't tolerate Meredith's nonsense.

The show's humor relied on Meredith's outrageous behavior and hilarious situations she got herself into. Whether she was trying to fake a disability to get a parking space or trying to bribe her students with pizza to get them to do well in a test, Meredith was always willing to bend the rules to get what she wanted. However, the show also dealt with more serious issues, such as bullying, family problems, and educational politics.

Despite its promising premise and talented cast, Bad Teacher was cancelled after one season due to low ratings and negative reviews. Critics and viewers felt that the show didn't live up to the movie's humor and originality and relied too much on the cliches of the romantic comedy genre. However, some fans appreciated the show's efforts to subvert stereotypes and address social issues in a lighthearted way.

In conclusion, Bad Teacher was a short-lived but entertaining sitcom that brought a new twist to the classic fish-out-of-water story. With its strong performances and witty writing, the show had the potential to be a hit, but it failed to find a loyal audience. Still, Bad Teacher remains as a fun and irreverent comedy that is worth checking out for fans of Ari Graynor and David Alan Grier.

Bad Teacher is a series that ran for 1 seasons (13 episodes) between April 24, 2014 and on CBS

Bad Teacher
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Seasons
What's Old Is New
13. What's Old Is New
July 26, 2014
Everyone is focused on standardized test day, except for Meredith and Principal Carl, who are preoccupied with the arrival of their ex-spouses.
The Bottle
12. The Bottle
July 26, 2014
When Meredith's venue for her 30th birthday party falls through, she plots a takeover of Kim's student teacher exam celebration. However, once the party is underway, she struggles to keep her rich friends from her old life separate from her new co-workers.
A Little Respect
11. A Little Respect
July 19, 2014
Meredith contends with the parents of the school's most gifted student and refuses to surrender. Carl isn't impressed and so their relationship suffers. After accidentally scratching Ginny's car, Joel hopes to charm his way out of it.
Found Money
10. Found Money
July 19, 2014
Meredith pays for a vacation with money she found in a parking lot.
Life Science
9. Life Science
July 12, 2014
Meredith has quite the agenda when she enters a secret betting pool for the student science fair in an effort to raise some money.
Nix the Fat Week
8. Nix the Fat Week
July 12, 2014
Meredith is on a mission to find a famous vegan chef during the school's health week. Ginny preps Principal Carl for the faculty 50-yard dash.
Divorced Dudes
7. Divorced Dudes
July 5, 2014
Meredith is determined to find a spouse after running into her ex-husband's girlfriend. She hopes to meet a new man at Principal Carl's Divorced Dudes support group.
Yearbook
6. Yearbook
July 5, 2014
Meredith helps Ginny finish the yearbook when she finds out how it can benefit her.
The 6th Grade Lock-In
5. The 6th Grade Lock-In
May 22, 2014
Meredith gets jealous when Joel spends time with another teacher during the annual 6th grade student sleepover.
Fieldtrippers
4. Fieldtrippers
May 15, 2014
After Meredith runs into a hot guy in a coffee shop, she plans a class field trip to his office so she can see him again. At school, Ginny gets a dose of the reality of Principal Carl's job.
Evaluation Day
3. Evaluation Day
May 8, 2014
Meredith is assigned to help Ginny during teacher-evaluation day. Meanwhile, Lily tries to convince Irene that Meredith is taking advantage of her friendship.
Daddy Issues
2. Daddy Issues
May 1, 2014
Meredith wants to date her student Bronwen's wealthy father, but he won't let her.
Divorced Dudes
1. Divorced Dudes
April 24, 2014
In the series premiere, former trophy wife Meredith Davis seeks to return to a life of leisure and luxury by posing as a teacher at an upscale elementary school to meet the students' rich, single fathers.
Description
Where to Watch Bad Teacher
Bad Teacher is available for streaming on the CBS website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch Bad Teacher on demand at Amazon, Vudu, Google Play, Apple TV, Crackle and Tubi TV.
  • Premiere Date
    April 24, 2014
  • IMDB Rating
    5.3  (2,965)